Online Brokerage Comparison

Use our online brokerage comparison tool to find the right stock broker for your needs. Our team has spent more than 300 hours comparing leading online brokers. We’ve evaluated each on more than 15 criteria before assigning a rating. Our selections include top online brokers, which offer DIY investors low costs and convenience, and the top robo-advisors, which offer portfolio management at a fraction of the cost of human advisors.

We strive to put the consumer first and all reviews are solely based on our team’s editorial analysis. NerdWallet does not have relationships with every brokerage listed, and our recommendations are completely independent of any partnerships. For complete transparency you can see How We Make Money.

Select Your Preferences

Tell us about your investing preferences and we’ll show you the best brokerage options that might fit your needs.

What do you want to invest in?

Individual stocksCommission Free ETFsOptionsNo preference

The first step in choosing an investment account is understanding your investing strategy.

Investors who trade individual stocks and advanced securities like options are looking for exposure to specific companies or trading strategies.

Mutual funds and ETFs are typically best suited to investing for long-term goals that are at least 5 years away, like retirement, a far-off home purchase or college.

Beginners and long term investors often look to get exposure to whole markets and don't have a preference on which type of securities to trade.

How much will you deposit to open the account?

Some brokers have minimum deposit requirements, while others may require a minimum balance to access certain advanced features or trading platforms.

If a broker is offering a new account promotion, there may be a minimum initial deposit requirement to qualify.

How often will you trade?

At least once a weekEvery month or soA few times a year

Like most things, when it comes to stock brokers, you often get what you pay for — which means there may be a trade off between price and quality.

Some brokers charge more per trade but offer access to a high-quality platform and premium research for free. Others have lower commissions, but offer fewer tools and services or charge to access certain tools.

If you're trading frequently — more than weekly — you'll want an advanced broker that has powerful platforms, innovative tools, high-quality research and low commissions.

Those who trade monthly or yearly will want a well-rounded broker with a user-friendly interface, helpful customer support and competitive pricing.

Who will manage your investments?

YouAn advisor

Yes, it's true — you don't have to manage your own investments. In fact, these days it's not only possible, but inexpensive to get the kind of management that was previously only available to investors with very high balances (read: mostly millionaires).

Thank the robo-advisor: These services use algorithms to build and manage investor portfolios. For a very low fee, they'll create a portfolio of ETFs based on your investing goals and risk tolerance, then rebalance it as needed. Many also offer tax-loss harvesting for taxable accounts.

If that sounds too hands-off for you and you want to manage your own investments, choose a self-directed account at an online broker.